News & Events
GDI Newsletter - Fall 2019
October,
2019
Happy Fall Y'all! October is the time of year we celebrate and recognize the talent and capabilities people with disabilities bring to the workforce. It is a month full of celebrations, training, and strategic planning for scaling and sustaining disability inclusion programs.
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Inside:
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Latest GDI News & Events
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Client Spotlight - University
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Keeping up with GDI Brand Ambassadors
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10 Years tracking Employee Satisfaction & Engagement data
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GDI's Meg O'Connell at Bloomberg LP
October,
2019
In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, GDI President Meg O’Connell and Caroline Casey from The Valuable 500 lead a discussion at Bloomberg LP on the case for disability inclusion. Peter Rutigliano, Ph.D. of Mercer and Cheryl Kaba of American Express also joined the discussion.
Human Potential At Work Podcast
October,
2019
On October 14, GDI President Meg O'Connell and GDI Brand Ambassador Shaholly Ayers were featured on Debra Ruh's podcast Human Potential At Work and discussed the importance of inclusion marketing and representation in the workplace and marketplace.
Meg O'Connell Featured in Article from Microsoft
September,
2019
This September, Meg O'Connell was featured in an article from Microsoft about the power of Self-ID and disability disclosure.
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We say it all the time: it's about having better conversations!
EARN Webinar-Measuring Success: Accountability & Self ID
September,
2019
On September 26, Meg O'Connell was a speaker panelist for the webinar Measuring Success: Accountability & Self-identification, hosted by the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion, with over 200 attending.
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The webinar is part of EARN's Inclusion@Work Webinar series. Nora Vele, Executive Director, Global Diversity & Inclusion at Merck was also a panelist.
Do Ask! Do Tell! Webinar
August,
2019
On August 22, Meg O'Connell presented the webinar Do Ask, Do Tell in conjunction with National Business & Disability Council, with over 225 attending.
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With companies across the U.S. developing their skills and resources to have better conversations around disability in the workplace, effectively handling self ID and disclosure is critical to creating a culture of inclusion. "Best in class" self-disclosure campaigns were shared, as well as Trends in Disability Employment and Inclusion.
GDI Newsletter - Q1/Summer 2019
June,
2019
Happy Summer to Our Customers, Business Partners and Friends!
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Inside:
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. Global Disability Inclusion Celebrating Our Sixth Year
. GDI Named Expert Partner to Valuable 500
. GDI at Global Inclusion Event in London, England
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GDI Brand Ambassador Shaholly Ayers in Third Love Ad
February,
2019
Disability Inclusion is not just about employment, it's about representation in marketing and advertising! We love this ad from ThirdLove with our Brand Ambassador Shaholly Ayers Don't apologize for who you are, and NEVER settle.
GDI Newsletter - Q4 2018 - New Year 2019
January,
2019
Happy New Year to our Customers, Business Partners, and Friends,
As we enter into the new year, I find myself with renewed energy and commitment to disability inclusion and invigorated by the opportunities that lie before us! I would be remiss if I didn't thank each of you for your business, your partnership, and your support over the past year. We look forward to working with you in the coming year and continuing to improve inclusion for people with disabilities!
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​The best is yet to come.
Meg O’Connell and James Emmet Talk Inclusion at the 2018 Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball Winter Meetings in Las Vegas
December,
2018
GDI President Meg O’Connell and James Emmet, CEO of James Emmett & Company (one of GDI’s strategic partners) presented at the 2018 Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, together
showing Minor League Baseball the benefits of making their stadium experiences and their workforce more inclusive of people with disabilities.
GDI's Andy Traub presents at Perspectiva Employment Conference in Moscow
November,
2018
GDI expert Andy Traub traveled to Moscow in November, to present at the Perspektiva Employment Conference. The conference was designed to be a catalyst for bringing together Russian government, employers and service providers from around 20 cities in Russia. Three countries – the U.S., Spain and Scotland - were invited to provide speakers through an embassy speakers program. The Lighthouse for the Blind from the U.S. also participated. GDI was asked to keynote 3 sessions at the conference and to participate on two additional panels; sharing knowledge, experience and understanding of competitive disability employment practices.
Actress Eileen Grubba Named Global Disability Inclusion Brand Ambassador
September, 2018
HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Sept. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Actress Eileen Grubba has been named Brand Ambassador for Global Disability Inclusion, a leading consultancy firm...
Grubba, who has spent years on the stage of the Actors Studio and in films and Television series including NBC's Game of Silence, Fear the Walking Dead, Criminal Minds, Bones, Sons of Anarchy, Hung, Enlightened, CSI: Miami, The Mentalist, Cold Case, Nip/Tuck, Dexter and Monk is an advocate for people with disabilities and has been fighting for the inclusion of people with physical disabilities in Hollywood and the Entertainment Industry.
GDI Q3 2018 - September Newsletter
September,
2018
Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall...
Global Disability Inclusion is proud to support National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)’s “America’s Workforce: Empowering All” this October.
Global Disability Inclusion to Participate in Runway of Dreams Foundation’s Fashion Revolution at the Kick-Off to NYFW
September, 2018
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., Sept. 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Global Disability Inclusion, a leading consultancy firm that designs and develops comprehensive disability employment and inclusion strategies for Global 500 companies, U.S. Federal contractors, foundations and nonprofits, is excited to announce their Brand Ambassador Shaholly Ayers will be walking in the Runway of Dreams Fashion Revolution event.
“Normalizing Disability Is Good for Business” by Meg O’Connell featured in DIVERSEability Spring/Summer 2018 issue
April, 2018
Normalizing Disability: It’s Good for Business , by GDI President Meg O'Connell, was featured in DiversAbility Magazine Spring/Summer 2018 issue. In it Meg discusses how a growing number of high-profile companies are adjusting marketing strategies to reach this profitable consumer market, and shares Five Tips for Engaging People with Disabilities.
Hawaii Amputee Model To Walk The Runway At Milan Fashion Week
February, 2018
Hawaii amputee model Shaholly Ayers, a brand ambassador for Global Disability Inclusion, will walk the runway at Milan Fashion Week. She will join models of all abilities from around the world… for an inclusive catwalk sponsored by Julia Barton in support of the Vertical Foundation, which finances research for spinal cord injury.
GDI President Meg O’Connell is Keynote Speaker at 2018 Greater Kansas City BLN Summit
April, 2018
Meg O’Connell was the keynote speaker at this year’s Greater Kansas City BLN Summit, on April 26, where she explored hot topics in Disability Inclusion taking participants through a deep dive into Disability Disclosure vs. Self-Identification, and the process of creating and executing an effective disability inclusion program.
GDI Webinar: Do Ask! Do Tell! Do’s and Don’ts in Disability Disclosure
December, 2017
This interactive “How To” webinar for HR Professionals, the first in a three-part series on hot topics in Disability Inclusion, will take a deep dive in Disability Disclosure vs. Self-Identification and allow participants to ask and get answers to their most pressing, and challenging questions.
Meg O’Connell is Expert Panelist With Temple Grandin at Trailblazing 2017
December, 2017
On September 30, Meg O’Connell was an expert panelist at Trailblazing 2017, a one-day only, business-to-business, global conference event on meaningful employment for the neurodiversity community. Other expert panelists included Temple Grandin, pictured here with Meg O’Connell. Trailblazing 2017 is designed to connect the business community to the disabilities community.
GDI Q3 2017 Newsletter
December,
2017
It’s been a busy Fall…
On September 30, Meg O’Connell was an expert panelist at Trailblazing 2017, a one-day only, business-to-business, global conference event on meaningful employment for the neurodiversity community. Other expert panelists included Temple Grandin.
GDI President Meg O’Connell appears on C-SPAN
August, 2017
GDI President Meg O’Connell appeared on C-SPAN as a panelist at RespectAbility USA’s “Equality for People with Disabilities Forum” on Capitol Hill, on July 31, 2017, discussing the importance of disability inclusion in the workplace.
Global Disability Inclusion Ambassador Graces Pages of Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Catalog
July, 2017
Following in the footsteps of model Ashley Graham, amputee model Shaholly Ayers is breaking beauty barriers. The brand ambassador for Global Disability Inclusion, a consulting company specializing in providing disability inclusion strategies and solutions to global companies, has graced the runways of New York Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week and is currently featured in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale catalog.
GDI Q2 2017 Newsletter
July, 2017
GDI Summer News
We are just a few weeks away from the Fourth of July holiday and the anniversary of the ADA (July 26). These dates may seem unrelated, yet both are dates that remind us to celebrate independence. Our country’s independence, and the independence of those living with disabilities.
Global Disability Inclusion is certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE)
June, 2017
For Immediate Release June 20, 2017 Global Disability Inclusion Certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council [Saint Augustine, Florida]—June 20, 2017—Global Disability Inclusion, a consulting firm specializing in providing disability inclusion strategies and solutions to Global 500 companies and federal contractors, is proud to announce national certification as...
The Beauty of Inclusion — a Conversation with Model Shaholly Ayers
November, 2016
The advertising and modeling industries have long been under fire for unrealistic portrayals of the human form—particularly of women, though men have not been immune either. Seeing countless depictions of impossibly tall and thin models has been linked to low self-esteem and anxiety to flat out eating disorders in girls.
U.S. and European Firms partner to support Global 500 companies in becoming Disability Competitive
August, 2016
US-based Global Disability Inclusion LLC and Belgium-based In-Fusion today announced a global strategic partnership that will expand collaboration between the two organizations dedicated to disability inclusion in the workplace, the workforce and the marketplace. “We are thrilled to expand our reach to...
GDI is Awarded $100,000 Grant to Enhance Delivery of Disability Competitiveness Solutions
October, 2015
Company is One of Twenty U.S. Small Businesses Selected through Chase’s Mission Main Street Grants® Program PR Newswire Global Disability Inclusion October 7, 2015 6:00 AMST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., Oct. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Global Disability Inclusion, a leading consultancy firm that designs and develops comprehensive disability employment and inclusion strategies.
Global Disability Inclusion and FTL MODA Partner To Build Visibility of Disabled Models at New York’s Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016 Show
September, 2015
Global Disability Inclusion, LLC, will join forces once again with FTL MODA to increase the diversity and visibility of models with disabilities in the fashion industry. A Times Square billboard will feature emerging model Shaholly Ayers, a congenital amputee who will appear in...
Psst! Disability Competitiveness: Pass It On!
September, 2014
Olympic Ski Medalist, Amputee, Rhodes Scholar, former White House Official, Corporate Leadership Expert, and Best-Selling AuthorJust because I have a disability — my right leg was amputated when I was 5 — doesn’t make me an expert on issues relating to disability and employment. Like everyone else, I have to work at educating myself on facts and realities for people with disabilities in the same way I read up on research...
Local Business Aims to Show Advantages of Hiring Disabled Workers
April, 2014
As an advocate for disabled workers, Meg O’Connell was able to fight against discrimination. As a business owner, O’Connell is going much further, helping to completely alter the perception of the disabled in the workforce. A St. Augustine resident for the past two years, O’Connell is
GDI Named DirectEmployers Association’s Newest Strategic Partner
February, 2014
Unique firm to help improve disability employment efforts for association’s 650 member companies by providing valuable resources and expertise SAINT AUGUSTINE, Fla., Feb. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Recognizing the importance of empowering people with disabilities by developing and uncovering new employment opportunities, DirectEmployers Association today announced Global Disability Inclusion, LLC